George Washington Day Picnic held indoors

WARWICK — Once again the AW Buckbee Center, headquarters of the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick, came to the rescue.

On Saturday, July 28, the Warwick Historical Society commemorated the 95th annual George Washington Day Picnic with a Civil War re-enactment.

The original plan called for the re-enactment and games from 4 to 6 p.m. followed by a traditional “Pot-luck” picnic under the trees in Lewis Park.

However, heavy rain earlier that day and the threat of thunderstorms caused a change in plans.

In previous years that would have meant a cancellation of the entire event. But thanks to the generosity of Al and Judy Buckbee, the Historical Society now owns the former Albert Wisner Memorial Library building at 2 Colonial Ave.

And the building, renamed the AW Buckbee Center, is just a short walk from Lewis Park.

Last August, in anticipation of Tropical Storm Irene, the Historical Society was able to turn its annual Under the Tent Party at Lewis Park, a major fund raiser, into an Under the Roof Party, which saved the day.

Although the turnout for the George Washington Day Picnic was lighter than it would have been under sunny skies in Lewis Park, members of the 15th New York Volunteer Cavalry were able to set up a static Civil War-era display in the center.

The potluck “picnic” was also held as scheduled but with guests seated at tables instead of on blankets.

The annual George Washington Day Picnic, sponsored by the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick, is free and open to the community.